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The Foyer and Reading Room

Art deco fans will be in seventh heaven at Claridge’s, for it is a jewel of a hotel, and a complex architectural masterpiece. The hotel has evolved over the years from the original Victorian building, designed by C W Stephens in 1896, and the addition of Oswald Milne’s art deco ballroom wing in 1929. His talents, combined with those of designer Basil Ionides and other art deco artists in the 1920s and 30s, created this iconic building, with possibly the most glamorous hotel entrance in London. Crossing the threshold into the foyer, you will be dazzled by the magnificent silver-white light sculpture from Seattle-based artist Dale Chihuly, which hangs from the eighteen-foot-high ceiling. Made up of over 800 individually hand-blown and sculpted pieces of glass, it is both spectacular and a definite talking point.

By contrast, the adjoining Reading Room, with its comfortable leather banquettes, elegant mirrors, suede walls, and cut marble fireplaces, is a more intimate space in which to enjoy the sophisticated, award-winning afternoon tea of which Claridge’s is justly proud. What an experience it is to have your tea presented to you on beautiful Bernardaud green and white porcelain by the impeccably-suited staff. The food is fit for royalty and is unusual without being pretentious. The set afternoon tea is designed to soothe and revive the heartiest shopper or guest; a selection of sandwiches is complemented by the most delightful raisin and apple scones, served, of course, with thick Cornish clotted cream and the hotel’s own popular Marco Polo jelly. Make sure you leave some room for the exquisite French pastries that follow. The selection changes daily and might include chocolate roulade, strawberry tartlets, or vanilla mille-feuille. The choices don’t end here, for besides the champagnes on offer, there are 30 different varieties of tea, carefully sourced from all over the world by the hotel’s tea connoisseur, Henrietta Lovell, and

ADDRESS: Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1A 2JQ

TEL: +44 (0)20 7107 8872

EMAIL: dining@claridges.co.uk

WEB: www.claridges.co.uk

AFTERNOON TEA SERVED: daily at 2.45pm, 3.00pm, 3.15pm, 3.30pm, 4.45pm, 5.00pm, 5.15pm, 5.30pm. Bookings taken up to three months in advance.

SET TEAS: traditional, various champagne teas including Rosé and Vintage Champagne, Children’s Afternoon Tea, themed teas including Valentine’s Afternoon Tea, Chelsea Flower Show Afternoon Tea, Great British Afternoon Tea. Gluten free available with notice.

DRESS CODE: elegant smart casual; no shorts, vests, sportswear, flip-flops, ripped jeans, or baseball caps

NEAREST UNDERGROUND STATIONS: Bond Street

PLACES OF INTEREST NEARBY: Wallace Collection, Bond Street, Regent Street, Green Park, Hyde Park selected to perfectly complement the food. Whenever you visit Claridge’s for tea, there will be a pianist and violinist playing soothing music, so sit back, relax, and revel in the ultimate tea experience.